GENERATE MIDDLE SURFACE

This function enables the user to generate middle surfaces of 3D sheet-metal parts. After clicking on this function, the Select Surface dialog box appears to prompt the user in a message to select all surfaces in the entire solid model. If users only need to generate middle surfaces of partial solid model, they can select the corresponding surfaces, as shown in Figure 5.2.5.

1.        Once this function is selected, the SELECT SURFACE dialog box appears and enables the user to select all the surfaces of the solid part. See Figure 5.2.5.

Figure 5.2.5  Select all surfaces used to generate mid surface

2.        After selecting the entire surfaces, the program will generate the mid surface automatically as Figure 5.2.6 shown. At the same time a new part named MIDSRF is created and all the created mid surfaces are placed in this part.

Figure 5.2.6  Mid Surfaces

3.        After the mid surfaces are created, the SELECT OPTION dialog box as illustrated in Figure 5.2.7 shown will pop-up.

Figure 5.2.7  Select Options dialog box

 

TOGGLE ON/OFF MID SURFACES

This function enables user to toggle on/off the MIDSRF part. Figure 5.2.8 shows the mid surface only.

Figure 5.2.8  Middle surfaces display only

 

TOGGLE ON/OFF OTHER PART

This function enables user to view only the MIDSRF part by hiding all other parts.

 

MID SURF OF TWO SURFACES

This function enables user to create the mid surface by manually selecting a pair of surfaces. For some complicated models, it is very difficult to get the satisfactory result. Sometimes the program may miss to create the mid surfaces due to poor surface quality. The user can use this function to create the missed mid surface manually.

 

After the function is selected, the Surface Select dialog box is displayed. User needs to select a pair of surface and then clicks OK button. The mid surface of selected surfaces will be created. Please refer to Figure 5.2.9.

Figure 5.2.9  mid surface of two surfaces

SURFACE OFFSET

This function enables user to create the mid surface through offsetting one surface layer, either top or bottom layer. Sometimes some surfaces of the models are lost after imported to eta/DYNAFORM database, hence the program can’t automatically create the mid surface. The user can use this function to offset one surface layer to create the mid surface.

After the function is selected, the Surface Select dialog box is displayed. The user can select the surface needed to be offset. The program will then display the SELECT DIRECTION dialog box as illustrated in Figure 5.2.10. The user can click the REVERSE option to reverse the offset direction or click the ACCEPT to accept the existing offset direction.

Figure 5.2.10  Select Offset direction dialog box

Figure 5.2.11  Surface Offset Direction

After selecting the offset direction, the new offset surface will be created. As shown in Figure 5.2.12, the offset distance is half of the thickness.

Figure 5.2.12  Create mid surface by offset